What foods should not be eaten by people with lung nodules?

Aug 29, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ren Yi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, there are no absolute dietary restrictions for individuals with pulmonary nodules. However, it is not recommended to consume spicy hot pot, pickled vegetables, fried French fries, moldy nuts, high-sugar milk tea, and similar foods. In addition, individuals with pulmonary nodules should also try to avoid eating smoked preserved meats, barbecued meats, and similar foods. At the same time, attention should also be paid to maintaining regular作息 (作息 translates to作息 habits or daily routines) in daily life.

Generally, people with pulmonary nodules do not have absolutely forbidden foods, but it is not recommended to eat spicy hot pot, pickled cabbage, fried French fries, moldy nuts, high-sugar milk tea, and similar items. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Spicy Hot Pot

Spicy hot pot contains large amounts of spicy seasonings such as chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. These ingredients are highly irritating and may stimulate respiratory mucosa, possibly triggering or worsening symptoms like coughing and phlegm production. They may also intensify systemic inflammation, which is detrimental to the stability of pulmonary nodule conditions. Therefore, consumption is not advised.

2. Pickled Cabbage

Pickled cabbage is a high-salt preserved food. Nitrite may be produced during the pickling process, and the salt content is generally high. Once ingested, nitrite may convert into harmful substances, increasing the body's metabolic burden. A high-salt diet may also indirectly affect respiratory health and impair maintenance of a healthy lung environment. Thus, it is best to be avoided as much as possible.

3. Fried French Fries

People with pulmonary nodules should also avoid fried French fries because they are high-fat, high-calorie foods. Harmful substances like acrylamide may be produced during their preparation. A high-fat diet increases the body's metabolic burden and affects overall immune function. Harmful substances may also adversely irritate lung tissue, which is unfavorable for controlling the condition.

4. Moldy Nuts

Moldy nuts may harbor aflatoxin, a highly pathogenic toxin that not only damages liver function but may also affect lung health, increase the body's metabolic burden, and even negatively impact pulmonary nodules, posing a threat to overall health. Therefore, they must be strictly avoided.

5. High-Sugar Milk Tea

High-sugar milk tea contains large amounts of added sugar and trans fatty acids. High sugar intake easily leads to increased systemic inflammation, which may interfere with the control of lung inflammation. Trans fatty acids increase cardiovascular strain, indirectly affecting blood supply to the lungs, which is detrimental to the overall health of patients with pulmonary nodules. Hence, consumption is not recommended.

In addition, people with pulmonary nodules should also avoid smoked bacon, barbecued meats, and similar foods as much as possible. Furthermore, in daily life, attention should be paid to maintaining regular作息 (作息 translates to作息 habits or routines), avoiding smoking and exposure to dust, and undergoing regular lung imaging follow-ups to monitor changes in the nodules.